Katharina Von Bora & Her Marriage to Martin Luther

 

Katharina Von Bora & Her Marriage to Martin Luther

 Let us dive into the unique romance between Martin Luther and his wife and look at the event that sparked their love, his help in her escape from nunnery. "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.” (“Quote by Martin Luther: “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming”)

 Katherina Von Bora did not have an average love story. In 1523, several nuns serving in the Marienthorn in Ducal Saxony were desperate for religious freedom. They had heard stories of the amazing Martin Luther, and in desperation, and with hopes high, Katharina Von Bora wrote him a letter. In this letter she plead for his help in their escape, however this was a dangerous favor to ask, as it could result in a prison sentence for the one who removed a nun from her convent, with or without her consent. Hesitant, Luther sent a trusted merchant, who frequented the convent, to assist in their escape. This trusted man's name was Leonard Kopp.

 On Easters eve of 1523 Kopp made his regular delivery of herring to the convent, but this time with different intentions. Supposedly hiding the 12-or-so nuns in his wagon, he made a risky exit. At last Katharina and her fellow nuns were freed in Wittenburg, but many of their families refused to take them back, as they did not wish to be incriminated. So, Luther made it his mission to find each of them a husband, but Katharina proved difficult to marry off. He arranged two potential suitors, neither of which Katharina was satisfied, and later heard through the grapevine that she preferred to marry Luther. After hearing this news, he was hesitant due to the controversy it may bring, and the fact he may be persecuted and/or executed for such a thing. Ignoring tradition, he took Katharina Von Bora as his wife in June of 1525.

 Martin and Katharina did not have a normal marriage compared to many people in the 14^th century. At first Luther stated his reasons for marrying her as more spiteful saying he married her "to please his father, to spite the pope and the Devil, and to seal his witness before martyrdom" (Bainton, 295). But he truly did love and care for her as he later states "I would not exchange Katie for France or for Venice, because God has given her to me" (Bainton, 294). They treated each other as equals in every way. Being gifted a property which was the former Augustinian dormitory, Katharina and Luther made it into a home. Here they hosted many visitors, being very hospitable people. Katharina frequently brewed beer on their farm, doing so on a much larger scale than the average German woman would. Thanks to a large amount of teamwork, and Katharina's support of her husband, the Luther's became a very profitable family, multiplying their wealth through many avenues.

 Out of their love they had six children together between June 1526 and December 1534. One of these children died as an infant, and sadly another at the age of 13, the rest however lived to adulthood. Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546. His widow crying “God knows that when I think of having lost him, I can neither talk nor write in all my suffering.” Unfortunately, after the death of Martin, and due to wars and famine, the family was unable to work the estate without his financial support and had to give it up. Katharina died 6 years after Martins death in 1552.

 Martin and Katie left an unmistakable legacy. Abandoning celibacy and a normal way of life, they followed God, they went against the system, building a wonderful life together. Katharina support of Martin in his ministry, allowed him time to bring many people to Christ, and encourage the reformation. Katharina Von Bora was the original pastor's wife, and together they were an amazing example of a godly marriage. Their marriage was one with mutual support, love, and one that truly made the “angels laugh and the devils weep.”

 Works Cited

“A Quote by Martin Luther.” Www.goodreads.com, www.goodreads.com/quotes/187460-there-is-no-more-lovely-friendly-and-charming-relationship-communion. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Darsie, Heather R. “Katharina von Bora.” Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a Fresh Look at People and Events from 1347 to 1625, with a Focus on Women and Illuminated Manuscripts, 20 Dec. 2019, maidensandmanuscripts.com/2019/12/20/katharina-von-bora/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

---. “The Scandalous Marriage of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther.” Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a Fresh Look at People and Events from 1347 to 1625, with a Focus on Women and Illuminated Manuscripts, 13 June 2020, maidensandmanuscripts.com/2020/06/13/the-scandalous-marriage-of-katherina-von-bora-and-martin-luther/.

Kilcrease, Dr. Jack. “Katharina von Bora Luther.” Lutheran Reformation, 20 Dec. 2016, lutheranreformation.org/history/katharina-von-bora-luther/.

“Marienthron.” Wikipedia, 31 Mar. 2023, no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marienthron. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

Mark, Joshua J. “Katharina von Bora.” World History Encyclopedia, 17 Dec. 2021, www.worldhistory.org/Katharina_von_Bora/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

Nichols, Stephen. “How Did Martin Luther Die?” Ligonier Ministries, 14 Feb. 2023, www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/martin-luthers-death-and-legacy.

O’Reggio, Trevor. “Martin Luther: Marriage and the FaMiLy as a ReMedy for Sin ‘with My Wedding, I Have Made the Angels Laugh and the Devils Weep.’” Andrews University Seminary Studies, vol. 51, no. 1, 2013, pp. 39–67, digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3188&context=auss#:~:text=Since%2C%20by%20God. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.